The story comes from a collection of stories by Fr. Anthony de Mello called The Song of the Bird. The book takes its title from the story below and I invite you to read it and reflect on it with your kids.
I included some of my own questions at the end that I think will help you guide the discussion about how and why we should try to know God.
The Song of the Bird Story
By Fr. Anthony de Mello
The disciples were full of questions about God.
Said the Master, “God is Unknown, the Unknowable. Every statement about Him, every answer to your questions, is a distortion of the Truth.”
The disciples were bewildered. “Then why do you speak about Him at all?”
“Why does the bird sing?” said the Master. “Not because he has a statement, but because he has a song.”
The words of the Scholar are to be understood. The words of the Master are not to be understood. They are to be listened to as one listens to the wind in the trees and the sound of the river and the song of the bird. They will awaken something within the heart that is beyond all knowledge.
The Song of the Bird Reflection Questions for Kids
- How do scholars differ from masters according to the story?
- Who are the masters that share wisdom with you in your life?
- What do you think the difference is between a statement and a song?
- What are some questions you have about God? Make a list of questions and don’t worry about how simple or profound they are.
- Are some of the questions in your list impossible to answer? Why or why not?
- How have you come to know anything about God so far in your life?
- If you wrote a song about God, what are some of the messages you would want it to include?
